A Child Called It is not just a book; it’s a harrowing testament to the indomitable human spirit facing adversity. Written by David Pelzer (Dave), it chronicles his heart-wrenching experience of horrific abuse as a child. Yet, despite the dark narrative, Pelzer’s story is one of hope and resilience, as you will see in these A Child Called It quotes.
It serves as a beacon, encouraging others that from the deepest suffering can emerge the strongest souls. At Resilient Stories, we share this tale to illuminate the path from the shadows to the sun for those who have also survived and rewrote their narratives.
Through all of my own struggles with child abuse, abandonment, and emotional trauma, one thing I always had was a will to survive.
Did you know that survival is hardwired into humans from infancy?
A Child Called It is a raw and riveting account of heinous abuse, chronicling the early life of Dave Pelzer. He suffered much abuse at the hands of his emotionally unstable and cruel mother. His early years were a conflicting mixture of stark terror and desperate yearning for love.
Dave’s mother would transform from caring to tyrant, subjecting Dave to unthinkable acts of violence. This story is set against the backdrop of a father who, initially a protector, eventually became a passive spectator to the abuse.
His two brothers witnessed Dave’s dehumanization yet could not change the tide of events in their broken home.
What You Can Learn From These A Child Called It Quotes
Dave’s story is a shocking journey through a childhood robbed of innocence, marred by the relentless physical and psychological child abuse that would challenge his very essence of being.
Yet, despite the brutal circumstances of his upbringing, Pelzer’s memoir is a testament to resilience, an inspiring tale of a young boy who clung to life with unwavering hope.
At Resilient Stories, we recognize the power of such narratives to embolden those who have faced similar ordeals, to seek solace in the solidarity of survival, and to find a voice that declares—despite the past—the possibility of a future filled with healing and strength.
If you’d like to read it for yourself, you can use this link to get Dave’s book, A Child Called It (*affiliate link).
Resilience in the Midst of Darkness
These A Child Called It quotes reveal what is like living in a dysfunctional family. School often becomes a refuge from the turmoil at home.
Dave Pelzer clings to a resilient spirit, using education as a beacon of hope. The book serves as a poignant reminder that even in the darkest family situations, one can persevere.
- “I gave up on everything in my life, including escaping my misery through my school-work.” ― Dave Pelzer
- “Childhood should be carefree, playing in the sun; not living a nightmare in the darkness of the soul.” ― Dave Pelzer
- “One could come from less than humble beginnings, to become a winner from within.” ― Dave Pelzer
- “Mother can beat me all she wants, but I haven’t let her take away my will to somehow survive.” ― Dave Pelzer
- “I made a promise to myself that if I came out of my situation alive, I had to make something of myself.” ― Dave Pelzer
The Dawn of Hope
In these A Child Called It quotes, Dave Pelzer paints a vivid portrait of his journey as a boy from a world filled with hate to one of hope and resilience. He refuses to let the darkness define him.
Each step forward is a testament to his unyielding determination to leave behind a life tainted by abuse and step into a world where his past does not dictate his future.
These passages serve as a powerful reminder that even in the depths of despair, the human spirit can transcend.
- “That day, I vowed to myself that I would never, ever again give that bitch the satisfaction of hearing me beg her to stop beating me.” ― Dave Pelzer
- “After I finished, I felt as though I had won the Olympic Marathon. I was so proud for beating Mother at her own game.” ― Dave Pelzer
- “It is important for people to know that no matter what lies in their past, they can overcome the dark side and press on to a brighter world.” ― Dave Pelzer
- “Even in its darkest passages, the heart is unconquerable. It is important that the body survives, but it is more meaningful that the human spirit prevails.” ― Dave Pelzer
- “I’m so alive. As I stand facing the beauty of the never-ending Pacific Ocean, a late afternoon breeze blows down from the hills behind. As always, it is a beautiful day.” ― Dave Pelzer
Inspiration to Carry On
These A Child Called It quotes show how moments of despair are threaded with glimpses of happiness and self-realization. Each challenging moment the poor little boy faces becomes a stepping stone toward finding inner strength and joy.
His journey is a powerful reminder that happiness can be found even in the darkest times and that we can transform every hardship into a source of inspiration.
- “I will stay alive.” ― Dave Pelzer
- “But now I know that I can help; I can make a difference, too. I’ll stand with you; I’ll shout with you, and the rest can’t say, ‘I never knew.’” ― Dave Pelzer
- “I’m so blessed. The challenges of the past made me immensely strong inside.” ― Dave Pelzer
- “I was on my own, and every night I prayed to God that I could be strong both in body and soul.” ― Dave Pelzer
- “I felt proud of myself. I imagine myself like a character in a comic book, who overcame great odds and survived.Soon my head slumped forward and I fell asleep. In my dream, I flew through the air in vivid colors. I wore a cape of red . . . I was Superman.” ― Dave Pelzer
A Child Called It Quotes About Child Abuse
Catherine Roerva Pelzer was a good mother at one point in his life. But as the abuse intensified, Dave’s relationship with his father and brothers also changed drastically.
His father, once a figure of strength and protection, became a silent spectator to his suffering. The brothers, who were once his playmates and confidants, gradually distanced themselves.
These A Child Called It quotes illustrate some of the child abuse that Dave Pelzer endured. His mother even forced him to stand in front of the mirror and repeatedly say, “I hate myself.”
Which seems horrific… and then you learn that she burned and stabbed him.
- “I’m a bad boy!” ― Dave Pelzer
- “A sharp pain erupted from just above my stomach. I tried to remain standing, but my legs gave out and my world turned black” ― Dave Pelzer
- “You are a nobody! An It! You are nonexistent! You are a bastard child! I hate you and I wish you were dead!” ― Dave Pelzer
- “At night, I no longer dreamed, nor did I let my imagination work during the day. The once vibrant escapes of watching myself fly through the clouds in bright blue costumes were now a thing of the past. When I fell asleep, my soul became consumed in a black void.” ― Dave Pelzer
- “Inside, my soul became so cold I hated everything. I even despised the sun, for I knew I would never be able to play in its warm presence. I cringed with hate whenever I heard other children laughing, as they played outside. My stomach coiled whenever I smelled food that was about to be served to somebody else, knowing it wasn’t for me.” ― Dave Pelzer
A Legacy of Resilience and a Call to Awareness
At one point in the book, the police officer tells Dave that his mother will never hurt him again, and he is shocked. For the past eight years of his life, his mother’s abuse had been all he had known. He has become accustomed to the idea that other adults would not intervene.
One of the A Child Called It quotes that resonated most with me is, “At the core of my soul, I hated myself more than anybody or anything. I came to believe that everything that happened to me or around me was my own fault because I had let it go on for so long.”
I know I often blamed myself and asked why this happened to me. It is incredibly confusing for children when they have to be concerned about their survival from the people who are supposed to love them.
The impact of These A Child Called It quotes
The impact of A Child Called It has reverberated beyond the pages of Pelzer’s personal account. The anticipated Child Called It movie aims to bring this powerful narrative to an even wider audience despite the controversy that sometimes shadows the book’s authenticity.
But the truth that remains unchallenged is the message of resilience. Dave Pelzer’s journey is a profound reminder of our potential to heal and grow, making his story an essential addition to the mission of Resilient Stories.
By sharing these quotes, we hope to inspire others on their healing journeys, affirming that resilience and hope can be forged even in the harshest of circumstances. Tell us your thoughts in the comment section.